Refrigerating system



Nov. 21

1 BUEHLER, JR

REFRIGERATING SYSTEM 3 Sheets-Sheet l Original Filed Nov. 14, 1935 QNN. l

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zuaofus Nov. 21, 1939. BUEHLER, JR

REFRIGERATING SYSTEM original Fild Nov. 14, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 gmc/vm @Herma/l1 Nov. 21, 1939.

L. BUEHLER, JR

REFRIGERAT ING SYSTEM Original Filed Nov. 14, 1935 3 Sheets-Shee'(l 5 Patented Nov. 21, 1939 UNiTED STATES REFRIGERATIN G SYSTEM Leon Buehler, Jr., Waynesboro,

FrickV Comp-any, of Pennsylvania Pa., assigner to Waynesboro, Pa., a corporation Application November 14, 1935, Serial No. 49,817` Renewed August 13, 1937 4 Claims.

This invention relates to refrigerating systems and more particularly to the organization of the refrigerating units and heat exchangers or condensers in conjunction therewith.

In accordance with this invention the arrangement of the refrigerating compressor unit, driving motor and other parts including the condenser is such that a refrigerator of a comparatively large capacity may be installed in a relatively small space. This in part is accomplished by providing a compact and eicient form of condenser which adapts itself for mounting in an organized assembly of the various units in such a manner that the organization as a Whole takes up a very small amount of room.

Heretofore in refrigerating systems heat exchangers have been built with an outer shell containing a plurality of tubes attached to heads at the ends of the shell. In such arrangements the length of the individual tubes has been limited to relatively short lengths for structural reasons and also on account of space limitations. Where relatively large space was required this resulted in a large number of relatively short tubes within a shell of large diameter.

An object of the invention is to permit the use of relatively long continuous tubes in refrigerator heat exchange devices.

Another object of this invention is to provide a coiled tube or shell heat exchanger wherein the shell contains a plurality of inner tubes so that the surface for the heat exchange is increased and in order to conserve on space a plurality of such shell units may be coiled and nested one Within another which also increases the eiliciency thereof in operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a single connection member or header at each end of the heat exchanger to which ends of a number of coiled shells each with a plurality of inner tubes are connected. Each header is so constructed as to provide two common end passages, one for the shells and the other for the tubes enclosed in the shells thereby providing a single inlet and a single outlet for each of two iluids which pass through the heat exchanger.

Another object of the invention is to provide a compact organization as a unit including the compressor, compressor driving motor, condenser and other refrigerating parts mounted on a base insuch a manner as to take up a minimum of oor space and yet operate at a maximum eiiicency.

VAnother object of the invention is to provide such a base mounted organized refrigerating unit (Cl. (i2-115) assembly in which the condenser can be mounted on the base and beneath the compressor driving motor as provided for `by vthe improved type of the tube condenser herein described.

Another object is to provide a heat exchanger 5` for such refrigerating systems which is inexpensive vto manufacture and which is highly eicient in operation.

Further objects, details, and advantages of my invention will be apparent from the following 1U description ofthe embodiments thereof shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a refrigerating-unit in accordance with my invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation'view thereof.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary vside elevation of an end of one of the heat exchange coils of the condenser element of the refrigerating unit shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional View taken .on line 20 dof Fig. 3 through one of the coils showing the relation of tubes therein.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged plan View of one of the condenser heat exchanger header members.

Figs. 6 to 10 aredetail viewsfof the other end 25 connection or header, Fig. 6 being `a plan, Fig. 7 one end view and Fig. 8 an opposite end rView of one part of the header, and Fig. 9, an end View and Fig. 10 a section on line IIJ-l0 of Fig. 9 of the other part of the header. 30

Fig. 11 is a horizontal sectional view of a slightly modied header.

Figs. 12 and 13 are elevations showing modied shapes in which the heat exchanger condenser tubes may be coiled. 3f

Referring to the drawings, the organization of arefrigerating system in accordance lwith my invention is Shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The assembly is` carried by a hollow` base I upon which a compressor 2 is directly mounted. A supplemental elevated base 3 supported from base I vby a plurality of upright corner supports 4 provides y a mountingfor a driving motor 5 andstarterbox 6, also a water regulator and high pressure cutout device 1. Motor 5 is drivingly connected-With 45 compressor 2 preferably vby means of a plurality of V-'belts`8 which pass over pulleys of the two respective machines. Guard members 9 at either side of belt 8 are secured to the base members in any suitable manner.

Base I provides a space for a receiver Ilwhich is supported within it adjacent one side thereof by means of a plurality of U-clamps I I andin the space above the base I and under motor supporting base 3 is a heat exchanger I2 which prefer.;- 55

ably consists of a plurality of helical heat exchange coils. Two coils 20 and 2| only, which have proven satisfactory in practice, are shown, nested one within the other, outer coil 20 encircling inner coil 2|, and upper and lower connecting members or headers, 22 and 23, respectively, provide end connections for these two coils. Three stands 24, preferably of brass, are shown for maintaining the coils in their proper position and for supporting the assembled coils as an organized unit on base l which stands are secured directly to cross members i3 and I4 connecting the sides of the base.

These coils as shown in detail, Figs. 3 and 4 are of similar construction, each consisting of an outer tube or shell bearing the same reference numerals 20 and 2| as the coils they represent. These tubes enclose a plurality of inner tubes 25,-four tubes 25 being shown. In a satisfactory construction the outer shell or tube consists of copper tubing 11/2 outside diameter with .05" wall and inner tubes or pipes of copper tubing 1/2 outside diameter with .035" walls. These outer shells with the inserted tubes are then wrapped into the spiral coils as shown in vthe preferred arrangement illustrated by Figs. 1 and 2, or in the modified coil arrangements by each Figs. 12 and 13, and the construction is such as to permit the use of relatively long tubes and yet provide a compact condenser unit. As shown the coils are bent adjacent to their ends and extend straight and horizontally for a short distance for connection with the headers 2 2 and 23, and the ends of the inner tubes 25 protrude from the ends of the outer shells providing for their connection inside of said headers.

Headers 22 and 23 are preferably each formed of two part bronze valve metal castings, although they may be formed otherwise as a one piece casting with a removable end cover plate as shown in Fig. 11 providing access to the inner tubes, if desired.

Upper header 22 of the assembly shown in Figs. 1 and 2 being best shown in Fig. 5 consists of casting or fitting parts 2S and 21 having cooperating flanges 26a and 21a which are secured together by means of bolts 212 or the like with a suitable gasket 28a, such as rubber between them. These parts 26 and 2'! each provide chambers 35 and 36 for refrigerant iuid and cooling fluid such as water or brine respectively and have an inlet passageway connector 29 for gaseous refrigerant and connector 3D for the passage of a cooling fluid; the connectors are bored or threaded for the reception of conductors to be connected therewith. Shell connectors 3| on fitting 26 are provided for the connection of coils 2|! and 2|. v

The lower header 23 is the same as header 22 with the exception that `the liquid refrigerant outlet connector 29a is shown directed laterally for convenience in making connections, instead of in a vertical direction; these headers are interchangeable to suit the required working conditions.

Details of the headers, particularly header 23 with its laterally extending connector 29a, are shown in Figures 6 to 10 inclusive wherein fit tings 26 and 2'| are separately illustrated. Fitting 26 as shown in Figures 6, 'I and 8 has its outer shell connectors 3! bored for receiving the ends of the outer coil shells or tubes 2!) and 2| and a wall 32 of this fitting coextensive with the flange 26a thereof and opposite the bored connectors, has two sets of bored apertures 33 each set for receiving the four inner tubes 25 of the two coils. Ends of coils 20 and 2| are inserted with the outer shells abutting against shoulders 34 in the bored connectors 3| and the inner tubes are extended through apertures 33 of wall 22.

A satisfactory preferred manner of attaching the outer shells of coils 2|] and 22 to the end tting is by heating the tubes and tting and running solder between the outer wall of the tube and the bore of the connector. In a like manner the inner tubes 25 may be attached in the apertures 33 through wall 32 by running solder between the tubes 25 and the apertures 33 making fluid-tight joints. While the coils are preferably secured in the header fitting 25 withL solder they may be secured by other means for example the outer tubes can be provided with a flange attached with a pipe thread for bolting to the fitting and the inner tubes 25 can be attached to the fitting by means of a rolled and expanded joint or by brazing or welding.

With header fittings 26 connected with coils 20 and 2| a passageway is provided for the refrigerant fluid from one header through the coils to the other header. The fluid passes in through connector 29 of header 22 entering the header chamber 35 of fitting 26 where it is delivered into the shell or outer tubes of coils 23 and 2| surrounding the inner tubes 25 and flows therethrough and into the chamber of fitting 25 of header 23 and out through the corresponding connector 23 of said header.

Fitting 2 shown in Figs. 9 and 10 is a water or other cooling agent connection of the header and is provided with the flange 21a for bclting to the flange 26a of fitting 26, gasket 28a being placed in the joint to make a fluid tight connection as referred to hereinbefore. The connector 30 provides a communication to chamber 36 which in turn communicates with the inner tubes 25 so that a cooling fluid may be circulated through the tubes 25.

In Figure 11 is shown a slightly modied type of header 22a which while essentially the same as headers 22 and 23 presents advantages in some respects not present in heads 22 and 23. This header has connectors 29, 3D and 3| and a wall 32 having bored apertures. This wall divides the header into the two chambers 35 and 36 respectively. The ends of coils 25 and 2| and the inner tubes 25 are fastened in this header in a similar manner as hereinbefore described and the refrigerant and cooling fluid conduits are also similarly connected with connectors 29 and 30 respectively. In this arrangement the header chambers comprise an integral fitting, the connectors 29 and 30 are in a fixed relationship with respect to each other and likewise both the conductors which are connected to them remain fixed. This header has an opening 31 opposite the ends of tubes 25, which opening is normally closed by an end plate 38 bolted or otherwise secured thereto with a gasket 35 of rubber or other suitable material sealing the joint, closure plate may be removed affording access to chamber 36 without having move the cooling uid conductor connected therewith.

The modifications of the coils, 40 and lll respectively shown in Figs. 12 and 13 illustrate modied shapes into which the heat exchanger tubes may be coiled for use in conjunction with other forms of refrigerating units not illustrated herein. The heat exchanger tubes are coils so as to put them into a compactl and easily handled form. Coils 40 and di are supported on brackets 62 and d3 respectively of a character to the brackets previously described and the ends of the coils may b e connected to headers, not shown, the same as headers 22, 22a, 23 or the like.

In operation refrigerant to be condensed is drawn into compressor 2 through the suction pipe 45 leading from, a refrigerant expander (not shown) and from the compressor the refrigerant is conducted through a pipe 46, tting 41, and pipe 48 to upper header 22 where it enters the chamber thereof, thence it passes downwardly through the outer shells 20 and 2 l, surrounding inner tubes 25 carrying the cooling fluid, where the gaseous refrigerant oondenses; from the tubes 2li and 2l at their lower ends the refrigerant emerges as a fluid passing into chamber 35 of thek lower header 23 and thence it is conducted by a pipe 49 into receiver l0 from `which it is supplied to the expander. Fitting 41 has a pipe 50 also connected with it and this pipe is connected in turn to the high pressure cut-out 1 so that the pressure of the refrigerant will actuate it. The cooling fluid, water, brine or the like supplied from'a suitable source through a pipe 5l passes through the controlling cut-out l thence by pipe 52 to chamber 36 of the lower header 23; thence the cooling uid passes upward through inner tubes 25 in a heat exchange relationship with the refrigerant, and leaves these tubes through chamber 36 of the upper header, 22 and through an outlet pipe 53 connected therewith. While the cooling fluid is shown to pass through the condenser in a counter direction to the ow of the refrigerant thepassage of the two fluids may be in the same direction if desired.

'Ihe heat exchangers shown as condensers in the assembled refrigerating unit, Figs. 1 and 2, as modified forms of coils in Figs. 11 and 12 are also adapted for use as evaporators, wherein liquid refrigerant is supplied into one end of the exchanger, evaporated therein and removed from the other end thereof, for cooling a iiuid passed through the relationship with the -evaporating refrigerant. l

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made in my device without departing from the spirit of the invention, and, therefore, I do not limit myself to what iS shown in the drawings and described in the specication, by way of example, but only as indicated by the appended claims.

denser mounted `on said base adjacent its other end, a platform supported by said base above said condenser, a motor carried by said platform, a

'driving connection between said motor and compressor, said entire unit forming a compact arrangement.

2. A portable mctor-compressor-condenser unit comprising an elongated base, a compressor mounted on said base adjacent one end, a conx denser mounted on saidbase adjacent its otherend, a platform supported by said base above said condenser, a motor carried by said platform, a driving connection between said motor and compressor, said entire unit forming a compact arrangement, said condenser being formed of one or more coiled tubes each provided with one or more tubes contained therein.

3. A portable refrigerating unit comprising an compactly arranged on said base thermally spaced in a manner to deter heat transfer fromone to ie other and comprising a compressor, a condenser, a motor, and means for driving the compressor from'the motor, said compressor being mounted on said base adjacent one end, the motor and condenser being mounted in superposed relation spaced from the compressor toward the other end of the base, and a platform supported upon the base underlying one and overlying the other of said motor and condenser, the mounting of said elements on said base being designed to retard heat transfer between said elements and the base.

4. A portable motor compressor condenser unit comprising an elongated base, a reciprocating compressor element mounted on'said base adjacent one end, said compressor element having a` horizontal shaft, a condenser element comprising an helical coil having a vertical axis mounted onsaid base adjacent its other end, a platform supported by said base above said condenser element, a motor carried by said platform, said motor having a horizontal shaft, said compressor shaft and said motor shaft being in disalignment,

a driving connectionvbetween said motorr shaft and said compressor shaft, said entire unit forming a compact arrangement.

LEON ',BUEHLER, Ja.

elongated base, elements of a refrigerating unit f 

